v. 22-23 – And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear,

Devotional:

There is nothing more inherent to being a Christ-follower than the desire to see others saved by grace through faith. When we are saved and rescued by Jesus we are immediately put on the rescue team to help others get rescued as well (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). There is nothing that produces more joy in our lives and in the kingdom than when one person turns away from sin and death and toward life through repentance.

“There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” – Jesus (Luke 15:7)

I have met many believers through the years who struggle with finding and walking in their purpose. Most of the time this struggle is experienced because people believe that their purpose terminates on their internal sense of fulfillment. It does not. When happiness and fulfillment are experienced, they are a welcomed byproduct of walking as someone who has been given purpose but they are not the point for which God gives us purpose. Our earthly purpose as Jesus-followers is to make disciples. We are to lead other people to the truth of Jesus Christ and help them walk in loving union with Him. That’s it. We can do this as moms, dads, co-workers, bosses, pastors, small group leaders, missionaries, plumbers, coaches, or nurses. Where we make disciples is secondary to being committed to making disciples.

Further, we often overcomplicate the simplicity of the truth of the Good News. The truth is that saved people spend eternity in heaven filled with joy, hope, peace, and purpose without end or contest because of what Christ did on the cross, and people who are not saved spend eternity in hell apart from Christ, being filled with hate, selfishness, bitterness, and hopelessness. It really is that clear, and we should be willing to do anything short of sin to see people receive God’s love and forgiveness unto salvation.

The way I read Jude’s words is to “do whatever you have to and whatever you can to see people turn to Jesus.” There is always much debate about the most effective ways to evangelize the lost, and admittedly there are some ways that are simply better than others. But the bottom line is we have been trusted with the most important words in the world:

“That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

So I ask you today, who is it that God has placed in your life that has not placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? Pray for them and ask God to open a door for you to share with them what He has done for them through Jesus. Then, send them a text right now and invite them to coffee, a meal, or a conversation and let’s see what God does.

We can rest assured that as deeply as we want them to come to repentance God’s love and desire for them runs far deeper. He is at work. Let’s join Him in it!

REFLECTION:

For whom are you praying for their salvation? In what ways have you confused or convoluted the simple, but powerful message of the gospel?